Study Guide

UNDERSTANDING UNIVERSIAL PRINCIPLES

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Understanding Universal Principles

A principle is a foundational law, a rule of action, a general truth, a cause or origin. I used the term universal here to mean the following:

• Immutable principles considering all scripture as it relates to God and his way of dealing with man, the devil, sin, and righteousness.

• Thus, a universal principle is a spiritual measuring stick that judges everything we say or do, by the word of God.

There are some universal principles that deal with;

1. Faith: Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

2. Suffering: If we don’t suffer with Christ, we cannot reign with him.

3. Offenses: Offenses will come; but woe unto those who bring them.

4. Iniquity: if you regard iniquity in your heart, God will not hear you in prayer.

These are just a few examples of universal principles in each of these areas. These universal principles also allow us to anticipate God. We are able to prophesy as to what God’s response will be in a situation or circumstance. Likewise we are also able to anticipate God’s response to the actions of others by the principles that they either operate in or violate.

Inside of each universal principle, you will find these constants: God’s purpose, desire, demand, and response. When determining whether these are truly universal principles one should weigh them against these constants. In each of the four sample universal principles stated above, see if you can find examples of each of these constants: purpose, desire, demand and Response.

When you are attempting to understand a universal definition, operation or principle, you must seek that revelation with a pure heart. One thing that will help us to understand the manifestation of universal principles or to discern a universal operation is to always start with your own circumstances, situations and relationships. Judge the principles that are being manifested in your own life. This will help you initially understand the path of the Word of God in your own life.

We can easily look back and see these principles in our lives; however, we can also see these principles operate in the lives of our peers and/or loved ones. Because you may have some type of control or authority in the lives of others, they may not be able to speak freely to you of your disposition. However, you cannot control their thoughts of you. You cannot control the fact that they see the principles of God operating in your life; whether they are for your abasement or your exaltation. Sometimes, individuals spend time and effort trying to establish an image of themselves. Their goal is that the image would exalt them in the minds of the onlookers. However, unbeknownst to them, the principles of God will reveal their true disposition. No matter what they attempt to present to people, you will find that the Lord will oppose that one. The operation of universal principles will reveal that opposition.

Example #1:

Billy is an evangelist. He has been on many large platforms and is highly sought after. However, before long, he develops pride in his heart. With his pride, he often speaks down to those who serve him. He is controlling and always has a smart remark in his responses. When individuals try to show him his pride, he simply dismisses them as ‘not in touch with God.’ and leaves feeling guilty and confused.

Soon, he realizes that his ministry no longer comes forth with the life and anointing that it once did. His sermons also become confusing and they fail to bless and deliver people. He eventually loses his global influence, and is barely and rarely sought after. Billy is now trying to start a church and it won’t seem to happen. Here is a typical example of the principle – ‘The proud shall be abased.’ It did not take a Prophet to know that Billy’s ministry was about to go down. In fact, we all could have prophesied to him according to the principle of God. We all knew assuredly because all proud shall be abased. On the other hand, we will see the operation of the inverse if Billy would humble himself. If he humbles himself before those he offended and before the Lord, the principle of exaltation will begin to operate once more.

Example #2:

Glenda received the Holy Spirit at a young age. However, after years in the faith, she has allowed herself to become judgmental. She is overly critical and over-authoritative. One day she attempts to give a cor- rection to the members on her auxiliary board. However, there is much bitterness and negativity in it. Those she attempted to correct received the correction. However, they try to relay the point to her that it was not done in the Spirit of Christ. She rejects their confrontation and refuses to humble herself to the people or word of God.

Within the next year, she tries to land a job from which she is constantly denied. She also reverts to starting a business – and though they have no malice in their hearts, she receives little to no support from her loved ones. Her children also have grown disrespectful and though she prays earnestly for a change in their lives, there is no evidence of the hand of God. She also becomes sick in her body. To top it all off, she finds it hard to keep up with the current revelation of truth.

God does not regard our prayers when there is iniquity in the heart. Though we may have the ability to silence others with our behavior and decisions, we cannot stop the word of God from fighting against our will. The word of God will always vindicate righteousness. It will reveal those who are righteous and those who are not. Many times, people fail to connect the dots and see the source of many of the hardships in their lives. Some sulk in their ways, some worry whether God has passed them by, some are extremely depressed at the path of their lives, but they fail to see the judgment of God. They fail to see that these hardships are a result of failing to submit to the Word of God.

Let us be sober, and watch for the principles of God in our lives and the lives of others. The principles of God serve as the basis of all counsel. Let us watch for one another, teaching them the path of the Word in a life, that they may keep themselves from the evil one.

Sons Training November 13, 2017

Understanding Universal Principles

A principle is a foundational law; a rule of action; a general truth; a cause or origin I used the term universal here to mean the following:

• Immutable principles considering all scripture as it relates to God and his way of dealing with man, the devil, sin, and righteousness.

• Thus, a universal principle is a spiritual measuring stick that judges everything we say or do, by the word of God.

There are some universal principles that deal with;

1. Faith: Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

2. Suffering: If we don’t suffer with Christ, we cannot reign with him.

3. Offenses: Offenses will come; but woe unto those who bring them.

4. Iniquity: if you regard iniquity in your heart, God will not hear you in prayer. These are just a few examples of universal principles in each of these areas.

These universal principles also allow us to anticipate God. We are able to prophesy as to what God’s response will be in a situation or circumstance. Likewise we are also able to anticipate God’s response to the actions of others by the principles that they either operate in or violate. Inside of each universal principle, you will find these constants: God’s purpose, desire, demand, and response. When determining whether these are truly universal principles one should weigh them against these constants. Activity In each of the four sample universal principles stated above see if you can find examples of each of these constants: purpose, desire, demand and Response. When you are attempting to understand a universal definition, operation or principle, you must seek that revelation with a pure heart. One thing that will help us to understand the manifestation of universal principles or to discern a universal operation is to always start with your own circumstances, situations and relationships. Judge the principles that are being manifested in your own life. This will help you initially understand the path of the Word of God in your own life.

Take note of whether a principle is, or is not operating in your life. For example, The proud shall be abased ; and the humble shall be exalted. Go back some years if you need to, and see if this principle was operating even then. These principles never change and have no respecter of persons. They also allow us to trust God and walk in a confidence of Him. Universal principles enable us to discern God. We can assuredly know what He will do. We can easily look back and see these principles in our lives; however, we can also see these principles operate in the lives of our peers and/or loved ones. Because you may have some type of control or authority in the lives of others, they may not be able to speak freely to you of your disposition. However, you cannot control their thoughts of you. You cannot control the fact that they see the principles of God operating in your life; whether they are for your abasement or your exaltation. Sometimes, individuals spend time and effort trying to establish an image of themselves. Their goal is that the image would exalt them in the minds of the onlookers. However, unbeknownst to them, the principles of God will reveal their true disposition. No matter what they attempt to present to people, you will find that the Lord will oppose that one. The operation of universal principles will reveal that opposition.

Example #1 Billy is an evangelist. He has been on many large platforms and is highly sought after. However, before long, he develops pride in his heart. With his pride, he often speaks down to those who serve him. He is controlling and always has a smart remark in his responses. When individuals try to show him his pride, he simply dismisses them as “not in touch with God”, and leave feeling guilty and confused.

Soon, he realizes that his ministry no longer comes forth with the life and anointing that it once did. His sermons also become confusing and they fail to bless and deliver people. He, eventually loses his global influence, and is barely and rarely sought after. Billy, is now trying to start a church and it won’t seem to happen. Here is a typical example of the principle – “The proud shall be abased”. It did not take a Prophet to know that Billy’s ministry was about to go down. In fact, we all could have prophesied to him according to the principle of God. We all knew assuredly because all proud shall be abased. On the other hand, we will see the operation of the inverse if Billy would humble himself. If he humbles himself before those he offended and before the Lord, the principle of exaltation will begin to operate once more.

Example #2

Glenda received the Holy Spirit at a young age. However, after years in the faith she has allowed herself to become judgmental. She is overly critical and over-authoritative.

One day she attempts to give a correction to the members on her auxiliary board. However, there is much bitterness and negativity in it. Those she attempted to correct received the correction. However, they try to relay the point to her that it was not done in the Spirit of Christ. She rejects their confrontation and refuses to humble herself to the word of God.

Within the next year, she tries to land a job from which she is constantly denied. She also reverts to starting a business – and though they have no malice in their hearts, she receives little to no support from her loved ones. Her children also, have grown disrespectful and though she prays earnestly for a change in their lives, there is no evidence of the hand of God. She also becomes sick in her body. To top it all off, she finds it hard to keep up with the current revelation of truth.

The word of God will always vindicate righteousness. It will reveal those who are righteous and those who are not. Many times, people fail to connect the dots and see the source of many of The hardships in their lives. Some sulk in their ways, some worry whether God has passed them by, some are extremely depressed at the path of their lives, but they fail to see the judgment of God. They fail to see that these hardships are a result of failing to submit to the Word of God.

They are often confused in seeking out the will of God. Some settle and attribute it to suffering. However, when we truly examine these sufferings, we find that they are not for Christ’s sake or for His glory; rather they are an abasement of us. Though we may be able to control others, we cannot control the hand of God in a life. We will find that those Glenda mistreated will move on and excel in God while Glenda’s ministry will be capped and there will be much evidence of her abasement. Let us be sober, and watch for the principles of God in our lives and the lives of others. The principles of God serve as the basis of all counsel. Let us watch for one another, teaching them the path of the word in a life, that they may keep themselves from the evil one. God bless you all,

Sons Training November 13, 2017

Understanding Universal Principles

A principle is a foundational law; a rule of action; a general truth; a cause or origin I used the term universal here to mean the following:

• Immutable principles considering all scripture as it relates to God and his way of dealing with man, the devil, sin, and righteousness.

• Thus, a universal principle is a spiritual measuring stick that judges everything we say or do, by the word of God.

There are some universal principles that deal with;

1. Faith: Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

2. Suffering: If we don’t suffer with Christ, we cannot reign with him.

3. Offenses: Offenses will come; but woe unto those who bring them.

4. Iniquity: if you regard iniquity in your heart, God will not hear you in prayer. These are just a few examples of universal principles in each of these areas.

Soon, he realizes that his ministry no longer comes forth with the life and anointing that it once did. His sermons also become confusing and they fail to bless and deliver people. He, eventually loses his global influence, and is barely and rarely sought after. Billy, is now trying to start a church and it won’t seem to happen. Here is a typical example of the principle – “The proud shall be abased”. It did not take a Prophet to know that Billy’s ministry was about to go down. In fact, we all could have prophesied to him according to the principle of God. We all knew assuredly because all proud shall be abased. On the other hand, we will see the operation of the inverse if Billy would humble himself. If he humbles himself before those he offended and before the Lord, the principle of exaltation will begin to operate once more.

Example #2

Glenda received the Holy Spirit at a young age. However, after years in the faith she has allowed herself to become judgmental. She is overly critical and over-authoritative.

Within the next year, she tries to land a job from which she is constantly denied. She also reverts to starting a business – and though they have no malice in their hearts, she receives little to no support from her loved ones. Her children also, have grown disrespectful and though she prays earnestly for a change in their lives, there is no evidence of the hand of God. She also becomes sick in her body. To top it all off, she finds it hard to keep up with the current revelation of truth.

- Apostle Mary Banks